Luna County murder suspect Hector Corral arrested in Kentucky

Luna County Sheriff's Office awaiting extradition

DEMING – A man suspected in the June 18 murder of another Luna County man was arrested last week in Kentucky.

Hector E. Corral, 40, wanted in connection in the shooting death of Manuel Oscar Chavez, 37, was arrested Friday, July 6, 2018. The arrest ended a five-day nationwide manhunt that began when authorities issued a warrant for Corral on July 2 for an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.

U.S. Marshals arrested Corral after tips came in that he may have family in Kentucky. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the Luna County Sheriff’s Office collaborated in locating Corral, a Deming resident.

“He (Corral) is currently detained by marshals in Kentucky and is awaiting extradition,” said LCSO Capt. Jose Martinez. Martinez said the district attorney’s office is in the process of filing for extradition and county officers will travel to Kentucky to bring Corral back to face charges.

Martinez also credited the swift work of all law enforcement agencies involved with locating Corral and apprehending the suspect.

“The HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) contact in Las Cruces relayed information to us that was very helpful in this matter,” Martinez said. “HSI assisted in the arrest.”

The murder case unfolded on Wednesday, June 18, when LCSO received a call at 12:35 p.m. of shots fired in the 1400 block of O’Kelley Road on Deming’s south side. When deputies arrived at the scene they found Chavez on the property with a single gunshot wound to the torso.

Chavez was transported by ambulance to Mimbres Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his wound and was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m.

Investigators for the LCSO kept details from the crime scene closely guarded until the warrant was issued for Corral on July 2.

This marks the first homicide case of 2018 for the Luna County Sheriff’s Office.